United's fringe players in Van Gaal's last chance saloon

ESPN staff

August 4, 2014

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Louis van Gaal has told Manchester United's fringe players that Monday's friendly with Liverpool is their last chance to impress as the Dutchman prepares to make some big decisions ahead of the forthcoming season.

United head to Miami to take on their fierce rivals in the final of the International Champions Cup, having already seen off Roma, Inter Milan and Real Madrid on their US tour.

Van Gaal has been keen to keep some consistency in his starting line-ups so far, but the likes of Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa and Nani have spent lengthy spells on the bench so far and will be given time to prove their worth against Liverpool.

Van Gaal getting his way at United

Louis van Gaal's influence at Manchester United continues to grow after the Dutchman revealed he asked for his side not to play in lucrative friendlies in order to make up for the club's lack of European football this season.

"I shall make judgments after this tour," Van Gaal said. "I let all the players play and I know now more than before the tour.

"Now also it is a little bit soon to judge, but in football you have to judge and you have to give a chance to the player to make a transfer when I see that his prospects to play are not so high.

"You have to say it in advance because it's too late after August 31.

"I will tell players after the tour - but to them, not to you."

Van Gaal also revealed he is likely to start with his strongest XI before making several changes in the second half, as he has done throughout the tour.

"It's always the same philosophy," he added. "A lot of players will play 90 minutes because it's the last time we can do that. We have to build up and I cannot do that in training sessions, so we have to do it in the matches."

Van Gaal, meanwhile, confirmed Robin van Persie, Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini are doubtful for the season-opener against Swansea at Old Trafford a week on Saturday.

"They have already trained," Van Gaal said. "I sent them to training in a special group and they could reach the first match [against Swansea], but not [next Wednesday's friendly] against Valencia.

"It depends on the individual because each one is different. There is a difference between players and I have to see if they can do it or not.

"I have to look at Van Persie because if you have three weeks holiday and only four days training before Valencia, you are not fit enough.

"For the first game in the Premier League it's possible, but I don't think so."